Verlyne “Brownie” Mae Remund

Verlyne Mae Remund, "Brownie", was born Dec. 7, 1933, in Cherokee, IA.  After graduating from Cornell High School, Verlyne moved to Kansas City to attend the Bethany School of Nursing. In 1952, during nursing school, she married Charles Brown and received the lifelong nickname "Brownie" by her colleagues and peers. During nursing school, Verlyne and Charles had their only child, Melinda. After Brownie graduated nursing school in 1955, she remained at Bethany Hospital for eight more years where she started her career in the operating room.

In 1963, Verlyne went to work at Shawnee Mission Medical Center (Advent) and remained working in the operating room, mainly in Urology, for 30 years before retiring in 1993. During her time at Shawnee Mission, Verlyne held many positions within the Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN), including President. She was awarded Nurse of the Year for the Greater Kansas City area by AORN in 1977 and again in 1978. Two years later she lost her husband of 28 years, Charles, to cancer. That same year Brownie gained another name - "Grandma". Brownie continued working and held seminars for nurses and hospitals and was even featured in magazines. In 1985 she married Bill Remund but was soon widowed again in 1986.

After retiring from Shawnee Mission Medical Center, she accepted a position with the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC). She also met and married George Mitchell but five years later, in 1999, was widowed again. She continued her career in the operating room at KUMC for 16 years until she transitioned to a Perioperative Nurse Liaison role in 2005. She remained in that position until her final retirement in 2013. During her 20-year career at KUMC, she was recognized many times for her impact in the field.

Verlyne's dedication to her profession was considerable and she left her mark on many of the patients, families, colleagues and dear friends that she cared for over her 60 years as a devoted nurse.

Verlyne was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2016 and moved to Sunrise of Lenexa. She lived there until her death on January 23, 2021.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Melinda and Greg Petersen, three grandchildren, Katie and (Derek) Baker, Benjamin and (Leah) Petersen, Megan and (Dustin) Larson as well as seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ascend Hospice 4550 W 109th St, Overland Park, KS 66207 or Alzheimer’s Association-Heart of America Chapter 3846 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, KS, 66208 www.alz.org/kansascity

A private family service will take place at Leavenworth National Cemetery.